Romans 3:10-14
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This verse, despite its brevity, packs a powerful punch by adding "no, not one" to the declaration from the Old Testament. This emphatic addition, drawn from the Septuagint translation, isn't just a stylistic choice; it serves to shatter any lingering notion that anyone could be excluded from this universal statement of unrighteousness. It drives home the absolute scope of humanity's fallen state, leaving no room for exceptions before God.
as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is building his case that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, falls short of God's standard. He just stated in the previous verse that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Now, he calls on the Old Testament Scriptures to prove his point, showing that this isn't just his opinion but a consistent truth that God Himself has revealed through the prophets. This sets the stage for a profound declaration about the universal nature of human sinfulness.
When Paul declares 'none is righteous, no, not one,' he's not just talking about a few bad apples. He's making a universal statement about humanity. What does this radical claim actually mean for us?
The Scope of "None"
Paul, in Romans 3:10, pulls a quote from Psalm 14:1 (and Psalm 53:1) to make a profound point: 'None is righteous, no, not one.' This isn't hyperbole; it's a sober assessment rooted in God's perspective.
This declaration sets the stage for understanding our desperate need for something beyond ourselves – a righteousness that doesn't come from us.
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Paul doesn't just offer his own opinion; he grounds his assertion in the very words of the Old Testament. What does it mean that God's Law itself testifies against us?
The Authority of the Word
Paul's argument in Romans 3 isn't based on his personal feelings or philosophical musings. He strategically uses the Jewish Scriptures – the very texts they held as authoritative – to prove his point.
This reliance on Scripture demonstrates that God's revelation consistently points to humanity's fallen condition.
Understand the original words
dikaios · Greek Adjective
The state of moral rectitude or being 'right' with God, characterized by conformity to His holy standard and character, a standing that is unattainable by human effort alone.
syniōn · Greek Verb (participle)
To comprehend with the mind and spirit, specifically regarding spiritual truths and the nature of God. Biblically, this implies a heart-level perception that leads to knowledge of God's will.
ekzētōn · Greek Verb (participle)
To actively pursue, inquire after, or desire a relationship with God. In a fallen state, humanity is incapable of this initiative without the prior work of divine grace.
exeklinan · Greek Verb
A state of moral depravity and spiritual apostasy, characterized by a deviation from God’s revealed path and commandments. It denotes a deliberate departure from the way of life and truth.
ēchreōthēsan · Greek Verb
That which is useless, unprofitable, or corrupt. It describes humanity as having lost its intended purpose and value in the sight of God due to the corruption of sin.
agathōsynēn · Greek Noun
Moral uprightness or virtuous action that conforms to God’s holy standards. In the context of total depravity, it signifies that no human action possesses the purity required to satisfy a holy God.
larynx · Greek Noun
The organ of speech used metaphorically to represent the source of corrupt communication. In Scripture, it is a primary vehicle through which human depravity is expressed.
taphos aneōgmenos · Greek Noun phrase
A metaphor for corruption and death emanating from within. It suggests that what proceeds from the human heart is spiritually decaying and destructive to others.
edoliousan · Greek Verb
To lead astray or induce error through falsehood. It is a fundamental activity of the sinful nature to pervert the truth for selfish gain.
ios aspidōn · Greek Noun phrase
A reference to malicious and destructive speech. It conveys the idea that words can be as lethal and poisonous as a serpent’s venom.
pikrias · Greek Noun
Expressions of ill-will, resentment, or a harsh, malicious spirit. It reflects an internal corruption that manifests in hostile interactions with others.
Paul's powerful assertion that 'none is righteous' is rooted in the Old Testament, but he wields these ancient texts to dismantle any sense of superiority the Jews might have felt, proving that both Jews and Gentiles are equally in need of God's grace.
c. 1000 BC
Psalms of David Compiled
The Psalms, including Psalm 14 (which contains the basis for Romans 3:10-12), are compiled, reflecting the spiritual and moral state of Israel during the time of David.
c. 700 BC
Prophetic Warnings to Israel
Prophets like Isaiah delivered messages of judgment and warning to Israel, lamenting their sinfulness and calling them to repentance, as seen in Isaiah 59, which Paul also quotes.
c. 500 BC
Exile and Return
The Babylonian exile and subsequent return to Jerusalem deeply impacted the Jewish people's understanding of sin, covenant, and God's justice.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching
Jesus' public ministry, including His teachings on righteousness, sin, and the Law, provided a radical reinterpretation of God's standards and human depravity.
c. AD 40-50
Early Church Ministry
The apostles, including Paul, began to preach the gospel of salvation through Christ to both Jews and Gentiles, facing questions about the Law, righteousness, and justification.
c. AD 55-58— this verse
Paul writes Romans
Paul, likely while in Corinth or Ephesus, penned his letter to the Roman church to explain the gospel and address theological issues concerning Jews and Gentiles.
This passage is the direct source of Paul's quotation in Romans 3:10-12, establishing the Old Testament foundation for the assertion that none are righteous.
Psalm 53:1-3This passage is nearly identical to Psalm 14 and serves as another Old Testament witness to the universal lack of righteousness and the absence of those who seek God.
Isaiah 59:7-8This prophetic passage describes the destructive and violent ways of people who do not know the way of peace, illustrating the practical outworking of unrighteousness.
Jeremiah 17:9This verse describes the deceitfulness and wickedness of the human heart, echoing the sentiment of Romans 3:10 by highlighting the corrupt inner source of unrighteous actions.
Romans 5:12This verse explains how sin and death entered the world through one man, providing a theological framework for why 'none is righteous' – it's a condition inherited by all humanity.
barnesRomans 3:10: "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
As it is written - The apostle is reasoning with Jews; and he proceeds to show from their own Scriptures, that what he had affirmed was true. The point to be proved was, that the Jews, in the matter of justification, had no advantage or preference over the Gentiles; that the Jew had failed to keep the Law which had been given him, as the Gentile had failed to keep the Law which had been given him; and that both, therefore, w…
meyerRomans 3:10: "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
Romans 3:10-18 . Conformity with Scripture of the charge referred to, Ἰουδαίους τε καὶ Ἕλλην . πάντ . ὑφʼ ἁμ . εἶναι , so far ( Romans 3:19 ) as this charge cuts off from the Jews every προέχεσθαι of Romans 3:9 . The recitative ὅτι introduces citations from Scripture very various in character, which after the national habit (Surenhusius, καταλλ . thes. 7) are arranged in immediate succession. They are taken from the LXX., th…
This verse, despite its brevity, packs a powerful punch by adding "no, not one" to the declaration from the Old Testament. This emphatic addition, drawn from the Septuagint translation, isn't just a stylistic choice; it serves to shatter any lingering notion that anyone could be excluded from this universal statement of unrighteousness. It drives home the absolute scope of humanity's fallen state, leaving no room for exceptions before God.
Paul is building his case that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, falls short of God's standard. He just stated in the previous verse that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Now, he calls on the Old Testament Scriptures to prove his point, showing that this isn't just his opinion but a consistent truth that God Himself has revealed through the prophets. This sets the stage for a profound declaration about the universal nature of human sinfulness.
Paul is building his case that everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, falls short of God's standard. He just stated in the previous verse that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Now, he calls on the Old Testament Scriptures to prove his point, showing that this isn't just his opinion but a consistent truth that God Himself has revealed through the prophets. This sets the stage for a profound declaration about the universal nature of human sinfulness.
"as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands;
no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.” “Their throat is an open…" — This verse, despite its brevity, packs a powerful punch by adding "no, not one" to the declaration from the Old Testament. This emphatic addition, drawn from the Septuagint translation, isn't just a…
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Last reviewed October 2026